Chapter 27 - Neurodiagnostics

Question 1

What are the classifications of neuromuscular disorders?

Answer 1

Neuropathies
Junctionopathies
Myopathies
Neuromyopathies

Question 2

How might the clinical signs differ between a myopathy and a neuropathy?

Answer 2

A myopathy results in weakness with a stiff/stilted gait, pain on muscle palpation.
A neuropathy results in flaccid paresis/paralysis, neurogenic muscle atrophy and reduced/absent reflexes.

Question 3

What is electromyography?

Answer 3

The detection and characterisation of electrical activity recorded from a patient’s muscles.

Question 4

What electromyographic test is used to diagnose myaesthenia gravis? And what is a positive result for myaesthenia gravis?

Answer 4

Repetitive nerve stimulation
In myaesthenia gravis, a decremental response greater than 10% is typical.

Question 5

Why is the common fibular nerve the most common nerve to biopsy?

Answer 5

Easily identified
Is a mixed motor and sensory nerve
Electrophysiologic data has been well established in both dogs and cats